The Forsyth County Republican Party Mass Precinct Meeting is set for 9 a.m. Saturday at Forsyth Central High School, 520 Tribble Gap Road in Cumming. Registration ends at 10 a.m., when the doors will close. Late arrivals will not be allowed in.
Saturday’s Forsyth County Republican Party gathering is not a typical meeting.
The mass precinct meeting gives all registered voters, not just Republicans, a chance to voice their preference for the party’s leadership.
Andrew Miller, party chairman, described the session as 33 separate precinct meetings in one location. This year’s event takes place at Forsyth Central High School.
Each precinct will vote on its chairman, who will eventually work with the group to choose delegates to attend the county convention in March.
“Voters that show up have the opportunity to become delegates,” Miller said. “Delegates are the only ones eligible to vote for the county party officers.”
Miller, who said he does not plan to seek re-election as chairman, said the meeting is the "first step in the organizing of the party.”
“You start with the precinct meeting, then you go to the county convention,” said Miller, adding the district, state and national conventions will follow.
Ethan Underwood, the party’s first vice chairman, and former school board candidate Ed Castle have announced their intent to seek Miller’s seat.
Another former school board hopeful, Tim Plotner, has announced he will run for first vice chairman under Castle.
There is still time for nominations and announcements. Bids for officer posts can be made as late as March 14, the day of the county convention, though Miller said that’s “not the best way to get elected.”
“It’s tough to get your name out if that’s the first time you’re announcing,” he said.